Drummers, a little help please

[Lander]

Hello Drummers,

I am picking up a kit for the studio so I have an option to provide a good sounding tuned kit for sessions. I have it down to either a Ddrums Domion Ash kit or a Tama StarClassic Birch kit.

The Ddrum shell kit components: Kick 22 x 20, Toms: 10 x 8, 12 x 9,and 16 x 14.
I heard the Ddrum bass drum has a huge deep tone which I like.

I believe the Star Classic are standard sizes.

What are your thoughts on these 2 kits? I have a feeling that they will sound very similar, price is obviously different. I'm looking for an all around kit and I'll be tuning it per session for the genre and key of music.

Your thoughts greatly appreciated!

ciao,
Tom

[chrisso]

For a studio I would pick up something more mainstream, perhaps a classic kit second hand.
Ddrum are rather 'budget' and Ash is not a notable wood for recording.
Think Maple or Birch. Think 70's/80's Gretsch or 80's/90's Yamaha Rec Custom.
Late 60's Ludwig.
Or more recent high-end Pearl, Tama, Fibes, Pork Pie and Yamaha that are cheap second hand. No one cares what a kit looks like on a record.

For ultimate flexibility choose 22" bass drum and standard 12", 14" and 16" toms. 10" toms are fine, just not essential.

[talkshowman]

I would avoid that 22"x20" kick to be honest. Ultra deep kicks are a passing fad, and while they might look like the ultimate providers of big boom, they are not. I've heard complaints that the big size combined with the air wooshing around in there doesn't make for accurate or articulate playing. I can't describe it properly, but in a word, avoid.

By standard sizes, do you mean 12",13" rack toms, and a 16" floor, or do you mean 10",12",14" rack toms?
I'd avoid the former, a 1" size difference in your rack toms never yields enough of a pitch difference in my opinion. I'd go for the latter option. BUT, I personally use 10" and 12" rack, plus a 16" floor and it covers all bases, so much so that I'm currently using the 16" as a kick, with the 10" in normal position and the 12" tuned ultra low as a floor. Works for me

Oh, and the fine tubs in question are Yamaha Birch Custom Absolutes. Lovely drums, but I'd still prefer the proper Yammie Maple Customs, best drums ever made in my opinion.

[BLUElightCory]

Tama Starclassic kits have consistently been among the best kits I've recorded. They sound great, are built well, have great hardware, and stay in tune. I prefer them over most of the "high end" kits (DW, C+C, etc.) that come into the studio.

[spencerc]

What about DW? I recently got a Birch VLT set for the studio and I love them. The birch shells have a nice short sustain, and the VLT (Vertical Low Tambour or something...basically some of the ply's are oriented vertically to reduce tension on the shell resulting in a lower pitch) make them have a nice lower warm pitch than usual birch shells are known for.

24"X18" Kik
10"X8", 12"X9", 16"x13" toms
Using a Steve Jordan Maple Snare with this setup (13"X6.5") which is Yamaha.

They sound fantastic. Every studio I take them into the engineers are amazed.

That being said...if your want an all around kit, the 24" kik will be too big for jazz sessions. You could order an 18"X14" kik as well to swap out with the 24" kik. (I have a DW maple jazz kit as well and it's also fantastic).

I would definitely stay away from DDrums...they are known for their electric drums and not many people would recognize the name (which might hurt your studio's reputation from a drummers viewpoint). I haven't heard their drums personally, but I imagine since not many pro players play their drums, they are probably not as great as the main brands...but this is purely my speculation.

I also have a Yamaha kit and love it. Pearl/Tama/Gretsch are all great as well. In my opinion the DW's sound the best, but they do have a distinct sound to them and some people might not like that sound. The nice thing about them is that the shells are pitch matched and so you know the kit will sound good with itself.

For a studio kit, stay away from wrap finishes and sometimes even lacquer finishes. A natural oil finish will let the drum keep a nice open sound. You can always deaden it down with heads/muffling later.

My two cents...

[drumzealot]

I second chrisso and talkshowman.

go for a 22" x 16"

I wouldn't sweat the brand so much. All the pro-level sets can sound great. It's more about the tuning and the heads. But if you have the time, find a nice used set as chrisso described and take an experienced drummer with you if you can. They should be able to tell if the drums are in bad shape (they'll know what to look for). Mostly check to see if the shells are out-around, the edges are flat and any other structural flaws.

Of course, if you buy new you won't need to worry about buying a lemon. Just get a pro level set, standard depth toms and kick and new heads all around.

[Lander]

THARR SHE BLOWS!!!!

Picked up a set today. Thanks for the responses everyone

Caught on camera:

Artsy Shot Number 1
Artsy Shot #2
Tom's Toms
Kit and Kaboodle


I added a snare to the kit when I was at the shop. A Yamaha Musashi was on closeout for $160. Lovely thing could be tuned to snap or a whap, or a whop.

Oh, I'm in one of the photos. See if you can spot me

[ORGANIK]

hello,

im a drummer and own and play many many kits. I am obviously an engineer as well.

The ddrum kit is actually a good kit and ash is not a bad wood, its better than what most standard sets come with anyway, ash is similar to birch in sound.
out of the 2 kits i would pick the tama birch. but...............

There are way 2 many options in that price range that are better.....
1. old kits are def the fad
2.Taye maples and birch sets are surprisingly good for the cash, the cheaper dw sets are ok, the yamaha and even the new Ludwig's are nice. Most of these company's use the same shell suppliers for the med range kits. as well as some high end kits pork pie etc use keller shells. they are all good really. The important part to me is the right drum head choices and tuning!
i have been able to make the crappiest set sound pretty good or at least recordable. I dont think most kits 1,000 and under are gonna sound that different from one another its all about the heads, the room and how you tune them..

and a side note 13" toms are the worst ever !!!! 13" anything is very hard to keep a consistent tuning and having only a one inch difference in rack toms leaves them sounding very close in fundamental pitch. 10,12,14,16 all the way versatile for any style of music

[talkshowman]

Originally Posted by Lander

THARR SHE BLOWS!!!!

Picked up a set today. Thanks for the responses everyone

Caught on camera:

Artsy Shot Number 1
Artsy Shot #2
Tom's Toms
Kit and Kaboodle


I added a snare to the kit when I was at the shop. A Yamaha Musashi was on closeout for $160. Lovely thing could be tuned to snap or a whap, or a whop.

Oh, I'm in one of the photos. See if you can spot me

Ooooh, nice tubs you have there my good man. Good choice, I think you backed the right horse on this occasion, and those Musashi drums are lovely little puppies (I'm particularly in love with the 12" model).

Health to play, as my Dad always says. If you can, I'd suggest getting those rack toms mounted off cymbal stands, will give you even more kick resonance. It's easy to do and you won't look back.

Oh, and I see ya. I won't spoil the fun for other readers though

[HeavyG]

I respect the opinions of my esteemed colleagues...so I will add a bit of color here. First...that Tama Birch Starclassic is a great kit. Almost any kit (even some of the "lower" end budget kits can sound GREAT) ...the difference many times can be the perception and bias of the player. That said...birch is a versatile wood that records well (a bit more focused mids and a little snappier...so the overtones tend to be more controlled when compared to a maple kit). You are dialed in now. Let the creativity flow......and tear it up.

Cheers

[chrisso]

Originally Posted by organik

im a drummer and own and play many many kits. I am obviously an engineer as well.

I agree with your comments.
Except....

1. old kits are def the fad

Nope, they are simply the creme de la creme of drum sets from the last 30 or 40 years. Recognised performers.

and a side note 13" toms are the worst ever !!!! 13" anything is very hard to keep a consistent tuning

A 13" drum is just another drum. It'll work the same as any other drum.
I agree a 13" to 14" tom spread is not as easy to use as 12" to 14", but many of my kits have a 13" tom and it's really quite OK.

[localhothead]

sorry but old kits record and sound lovely , all top drummers use old kits in the studio

a 13 inch tom is a great tom , with a 16 floor and even 10 top tom

if you cant get a sound out of a 13 - id be worried .


old 60's luddy 22 13 16 best drum sound ever.

followed by yammie gold lug maple custom

[Grumblefoot]

Great kit you got there congrats. Tama Starclassics are great drums and will serve you well. i have a set of Pearl Masters Studio (Birch) and love them for recording. The toms really sing with some Senn. 421's over them

[ORGANIK]

don't get me wrong folks old kits are great, i have an old rogers kit i use for THAT sound.

To tell you the truth, I have a set of STAVE drums and they will slaughter any kit of any type from any era. Its a way better sound, resonance, tone, and much much much wider tuning range. If your not familiar with them check them out

I am just biased against 13" toms LOL i guess. if its your main rack tom i can see that working fine, but after a 12" tom or before a 14" there is no real need. i prefer to have at least a 2" gap in sizes between drums.

[chrisso]

Originally Posted by organik

To tell you the truth, I have a set of STAVE drums and they will slaughter any kit of any type from any era. Its a way better sound, resonance, tone, and much much much wider tuning range. If your not familiar with them check them out

Again, purely down to taste.
I owned a stave kit (Tamburo), it sounded good, as good as any other contemporary kit.
The nicest kits I own are a Camco Oaklawn and a couple of Noble & Cooley's. The stave wasn't quite in their class so I sold it.

[jbsg02]

Good looking kit! enjoy it